
36
FRIDAY
October 26
Further Study:
Read Ellen G. White, “God Promises Us a New
Heart of Flesh,” p. 100, in
Sons and Daughters of God; “To Meet the
Bridegroom,” pp. 405–421, in Christ’s Object Lessons; “The Time of
Trouble,” pp. 613–634, in The Great Controversy.
“Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to
human beings; and never before was its diligent study so important as
now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so
momentous; never before were young men and young women con-
fronted by perils so great as confront them today.”—Ellen G. White,
Education, p. 225.
“In the parable, the foolish virgins are represented as begging for oil,
and failing to receive it at their request. This is symbolic of those who
have not prepared themselves by developing a character to stand in a
time of crisis. It is as if they should go to their neighbors and say, Give
me your character, or I shall be lost. Those that were wise could not
impart their oil to the flickering lamps of the foolish virgins. Character
is not transferable. It is not to be bought or sold; it is to be acquired. The
Lord has given to every individual an opportunity to obtain a righteous
character through the hours of probation; but he has not provided a way
by which one human agent may impart to another the character which
he has developed by going through hard experiences, by learning les-
sons from the great Teacher, so that he can manifest patience under trial,
and exercise faith so that he can remove mountains of impossibility.”
—Ellen G. White,
The Youth’s Instructor, Jan. 16, 1896.
Discussion Questions:
● What does “character building” mean? How can you do this?
How much of a visible priority is character building within your
own life and your church community?
● Thursday’s study talked about the important role of community
in the life of a Christian. How well does your local church function
as the body of Christ? How well do you represent the Lord as a
community? As a class, talk about what you can do to improve.
● As a class, talk about the question of why character building is
important, even if we are saved by faith alone in Jesus. If His
righteousness, and His perfect character, are what saves us, then
what do we need to develop character for?
● Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind from an early age, wrote,
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through
experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened,
vision clear
ed,
ambition inspir
ed, and success achieved.”
—
Leadership, vol. 17, no. 4. Do you agree? Discuss the relation-
ships between character, suffering, and the great controversy.
1
2
3
1
2
3
4